01 · Are they licensed to teach?
In New York, barber instructors should hold a state instructor license (NYSED/BPSS), not just a barber license. Ask to see it.
Home / Instructors
Choosing a Program
Who Teaches You to Become a Barber?
When you're deciding where to train, the single best predictor of how good a barber you'll become is who's standing next to you at the chair. A fade you can watch a master barber demonstrate, then try under their eye, is worth more than any glossy brochure. Here's what to look for in barber-school instructors — and a real New York teaching team that meets the bar.
Before You Enroll
4 Questions to Ask About Any School's Instructors
02 · How much real shop time?
Decades behind the chair means they teach what the job actually demands — not just what's in a manual.
03 · Do they prep you for the board?
The best instructors have watched hundreds of students pass the NY State Board practical. That experience is the difference between a license and a retake.
04 · Will they be at your chair?
Look for hands-on, one-on-one coaching on the clinic floor — not lecture-only teaching from the front of a room.
The team below is a working example of all four. Use them as your yardstick.
A Benchmark Team
What Master Instructors Look Like
Lead Senior Instructor & Director
NY State Licensed
David Ayeoribe
50
+ years experience
1000
+ students taught
Affectionately known to generations of barbers as "King David," David Ayeoribe is a living cornerstone of American Barber Institute and one of the most respected names in New York barbering education. With over 50 years behind the chair and more than 30 years teaching, David is widely recognized as the longest-serving barber instructor in New York City.
What Makes David Different
- Licensed Instructor, Director, and Manager (NYSED BPSS)
- Graduate, London School of Modern Management
- 50+ years in barbering and 30+ years teaching
- Has taught at every ABI location and at Tribeca Barber School
- Trained thousands of licensed barbers who became entrepreneurs, shop owners and industry leaders
- Creator of "Barber License Practical Exam NYS Instructions" on YouTube
48 West 39th Street · New York, NY
Our Manhattan Team
Harold "Barkim" Brown
A Queens native and master barber, Harold is the kind of teacher students remember for the rest of their careers. Known as the best one-armed barber in the world, he turns every doubt into fuel — and pours that energy into the next generation.
- Featured in "The One Armed Barber" — 2024 New York Emmy Award winner (DEI in News)
- Press: New York Post, PIX11, ABC7 Eyewitness News, Barber World TV
- Teaches the full range — fades, tapers, line-ups, razor work, shaves — plus etiquette and professionalism
Barry Brown
Barry's story with barbering started long before he ever walked into a classroom. He began cutting hair as a young man and quickly proved what was obvious to anyone who saw him work: barbering was in his blood.
- Years of real barbering experience before ever entering the classroom
- Personally recognized and mentored by Harold "Barkim" Brown
- Teaches from both instinct and craft — a true product of the ABI family
Freddie Liciaga
Freddie's journey defines what ABI is all about. Before he ever stood at the front of a classroom, he sat in one — and from day one, he stood out.
- Teaches in English and Spanish — every student feels welcome and understood
- Former standout ABI student turned trusted instructor
- State board exam preparation specialist — known for getting students exam-ready
Benny Santamaria
Faced with a real crossroads as a young man, Benny chose the craft. He chose barbering — and he never looked back.
- Impeccable shaving skills and precise scissor work
- ABI's youngest instructor — high-energy, always on the practical floor
- Teaches in English and Spanish — accessible to every learner
Richard Cancel
Richard's story begins with family, inspiration, and a pair of clippers. He watched his older brother Mike build an entire life around the craft — and that's the reason Richard ever picked up clippers in the first place.
- Hands-on training from a 30+ year industry veteran (his brother Mike, an ABI graduate)
- Dual expertise in barbering and tattooing — a rare skill set
- Teaches in English and Spanish — driven by purpose, not just career
121 Westchester Square · Bronx, NY
Our Bronx Team
Truth "The Barber Artist" Quinones
Known across the industry as Truth The Barber Artist, Truth has spent over four decades behind the chair. Since beginning his career in 1985, he has earned a reputation for precision, innovation and elevating the profession wherever he goes.
- 40+ years in barbering since 1985
- Founding Director of ABI Bronx — with the school since its inception
- Former New York State Board Examiner — insider knowledge of licensing & compliance
- Andis brand partner and national industry influencer
Osvaldy "Mr. O" Rodriguez
Known to students simply as "Mr. O," Osvaldy is proof that age is no measure of mastery. He's already a Licensed Master Barber, licensed instructor and award-winning competitor.
- Licensed Master Barber — earned at just 19 years old
- Licensed instructor with 8+ years of professional experience
- Award-winning competitor — precision and creativity rooted in fundamentals
Noah Vera
A Licensed Master Barber, licensed instructor and seasoned professional with more than 8 years behind the chair, Noah is part of the new generation of NYC barbering — and he's already earned his place at the top of it.
- Licensed Master Barber since age 19 — a rare early achievement
- Licensed instructor at American Barber Institute Bronx
- Teaches in English and Spanish — every student feels welcome
What Good Teaching Looks Like
The Teaching Model That Actually Works
If you're evaluating programs, this is the approach that produces confident, hireable barbers — and the standard worth holding any school to.
01
Hands-On from the First Few Weeks
You should be working on real clients within the first few weeks — building confidence and skill through practice, not just watching demonstrations.
02
Real-World Ready
Every technique should reflect what you'll actually need in a working barbershop — the services clients pay for and the board tests.
03
Mentorship & Board Prep
The best instructors stay with you through training and beyond, including targeted NY State Board practical-exam preparation.
See It In Practice
What "Hands-On" Really Means
"Hands-on training" is a phrase every school uses. This is what it actually looks like — instructors demonstrating cuts, guiding students on the clinic floor, and celebrating graduates as they earn their certificates.
At the Chair, Not the Whiteboard
The teaching that turns beginners into barbers happens beside the chair, not from the front of a room. In a program like this you work on real clients from your first weeks while a master barber demonstrates, corrects and encourages every step of the way.
- Live demonstrations on the clinic floor
- One-on-one coaching through every cut
- Certificate & graduation milestones celebrated together
In Students' Words
How to Tell Great Instructors Apart
"One of the best teachers around by the name of King David — will show you everything there is to know about barbering. 100% commitment from this school."
Jerrick Matthews · Current Student
"King David has been awesome! He has 30 years of experience and gives us great techniques while also polishing up on basic skills."
Carlos Perez · Current Student
"Nothing but positivity and eagerness to learn more in this field. The instructors create an environment where everyone wants to succeed."
Zyee Fin · Current Student
Learn From the Best
Ready to Learn From Instructors Like These?
The teachers above train new barbers at the American Barber Institute — a licensed 500-hour program that starts a new class the first Monday of every month. If the teaching model on this page is what you're looking for, that's where to find it.